1. Lab Safety & Experimental Design Review
Notes review

2. Science
Science is the use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of the physical and natural world, as well as the knowledge generated through this process.
Science only answers questions that are testable by a process called scientific inquiry- the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world

3. Science Divided into three major branches:
Natural: The study of natural phenomena
Formal: The study of mathematics and logic
Social: The study of human behavior and societies
Aquatic science falls under Natural Science
Natural science has many branches including Biology
Aquatics is a subdivision of Biology

4. Scientific Inquiry
When answering scientific questions there are a variety of ways to conduct your investigation.
Comparative: A comparison of 2 or more things
Descriptive: Observable lab investigations; including two types of data
Qualitative: involves Qualities
Collected by observing, looking & listening
Examples: Colors, smells, things you can see or taste, etc.
Quantitative: involves Quantities
Collected by measurements
Examples: length, height, temperature, weight, cost, ages, etc.
Experimental: Designed experiment that follows the scientific method
Has a clearly defined control and test group

5. Scientific Method
Misleading because it is process not reserved for biologist and other scientists
Also it is not a methodical set of steps to be followed in a specific order
It is an organized pattern of thinking to solve everyday problems
It is problem-solving technique that involves a series of steps that can be used to think through most problems

7. Setting Up the Experiment
Control Group: is a setup used for comparison
Experimental Group: the group exposed to the factor being tested
Variable- factor changed by the experimenter. Only one factor should be changed at a time.
Independent (Manipulated) Variable-The factor used to test the hypothesis; it might affect the outcome of the experiment.
Dependent (Responding )Variable: it results from or depends on changes to the independent variable.
Constant: Factors that remains fixed during an experiment while the independent and dependent variables changes.

8. Define the Parts of this Experiment
Michael put 100 red seeds, 100 brown seeds, and 100 yellow seeds in his bird feeder. He also put in his bird feeder 100 sunflower seeds that the birds normally eat in their diet. He counted the number seeds of each color that remained after 2 days. He repeated this experiment 10 times over a 20 day period. He kept the bird feeder in the same place and thoroughly mixed the seeds together.
Independent, dependent, constants, control, hypothesis (make one you could test from the scenario).

9. Reviewing Results
Circle Graph- used to show relationship of a part to a whole
to show relative sizes of data
Bar graph- Used when independent variable isn’t continuous
are good when your data is in categories
Line graph- Used when independent variable is continuous
shows information that is connected in some way (such as change over time)
Manipulated variable is plotted on the X axis
Responding variable is plotted on the Y axis

10. Data Analysis & Conclusion
After collecting data, analyze the data and form conclusions based on the following questions
Do the results support or refute the hypothesis?
Is more data needed?
Are different procedures needed?
Is the experimental set-up valid?
Was there a large enough sample size?
Were the sources of errors minimized?
Was there only one variable tested?
Is the experiment repeatable?
Conclusion
Scientists report their findings and conclusions in scientific journals.

11. Reviewing Data & Making Conclusions
Proof: using supportive information to establish something as true or fact
Evidence: the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or hypothesis is valid or true
Circumstantial: cannot directly point to a fact but instead must be inferred
Direct: Evidence that proves or disproves something believed to be fact due to being experienced, seen, heard etc.
Which is more reliable?
Does proof exist in science?

12. Scientific Theory
An explanation of natural or physical phenomenon supported by many observations and experiments over time.
Tested by multiple independent researchers
Complex explanations and have been supported by years of scientific research
They are considered valid until new areas of study are developed or until new technologies are developed and new evidence is found.

13. Scientific Hypothesis
A educated guess that has clearly defined parameters and is stated as an “If, Then” statement
It must be a testable idea that can be researched
If you study 30 minutes everyday while listening to music at 7 pm at the kitchen table, then you will increase your test grades by one letter grade.
Spending time with puppies everyday will make you a happier person.

14. Scientific Law
An explanation of natural or physical phenomenon supported by many observations and experiments over time.
Tested by multiple independent researchers.
Complex explanations and have been supported by years of scientific research
They are considered valid until new areas of study are developed or until new technologies are developed and new evidence is found.

15. Theory vs Law vs Hypothesis
When a hypothesis is tested many times and the explanation is durable, the hypothesis can be incorporated into a theory.
A Scientific Theory is a well-established and highly reliable explanation
Theories will never be laws
Laws will never be reduced to theories
Theories explain why something occurs
Laws define something that occurs in nature but doesn’t explain why
Laws are most reliable, then theories, and then a hypothesis

16. Lab Safety
When conducting experiments one of the most important things to follow is lab safety
Basic lab safety includes several categories:
Clothing Safety
Disposal Safety
General Safety
Accident & Injury safety
Chemical Safety
Glassware Safety
Heating Safety
With a partner review as many rules in each category as you can. On a sheet of paper list as many as you can in the next 30 seconds.

17. Lab Safety
Symbols to recognize when beginning a lab to ensure we use proper lab safety

18. Lab Safety